Combination cane and portable seat article

ABSTRACT

A combination cane and portable seat article includes an upper portion which is selectively alterable to form an apertured handle of a cane, or to form an opened seat. A lower portion of the article includes a first, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member having one end affixed to the upper portion of the article. The first member has an axial cut-away portion formed from an intermediate point on the member to an end opposite to the one end, thus forming a hollow recess therewithin. A second, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member is adapted to fit within the hollow recess of the first member. An intermediate point on the second member is pivotally supported at the opposite end of the first member. The second member is selectively retained within the hollow recess of the first member so that the first and second members are rigidly coaxial or, alternatively, so as to permit the second member to be free to pivot about its intermediate point with respect to the opposite end of the first member. Means for the selective retention includes an inner latch piece within the first member which is selectively engageable with one end of the second member, an outer manually operable button outside of the first member, and means for connecting the button to the latch piece, such connecting means being adapted to reciprocate within an axial slot of the first member. The bottom of the article can have a rubber tip affixed thereto.

United States Patent 1191 Turpin [4 1 Oct. 14, 1975 1 COMBINATION CANE AND PORTABLE SEAT ARTICLE [76] Inventor: Andrew Turpin, 253 Poplar St.,

'Wilkes Barre, Pa. 18702 [22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 524,479

52 us. (:1 ..1 248/l55.1; 248/155.5 51 1m.(:1. A45D 19/04 58 Field of Search 248/144, 145, 148, 155,

Primary E.\'amin erMarion Parsons, Jr. Assistant ExaminerRobert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or FirmFred Fisher ABSIRACT A combination cane and portable seat article includes an upper portion which is selectively alterable to form an apertured handle of a cane, or to form an opened seat. A lower portion of the article includes a first, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member having one end affixed to the upper portion of the article. The first member has an axial cut-away portion formed from an intermediate point on the member to an end opposite to the one end, thus forming a hollow recess therewithin. A second, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member is adapted to fit within the hollow recess of the first member. An intermediate point on the second member is pivotally supported at the opposite end of the first member. The second member is selectively retained within the hollow recess of the first member so that the first and second members are rigidly coaxial or, alternatively, so as to permit the second member to be free to pivot about its intermediate point with respect to the opposite end of the first member. Means for the selective retention includes an inner latch piece within the first member which is selectively engageable with one end of the second member, an outer manually operable button outside of the first member, and means for connecting the button to the latch piece, such connecting means being adapted to reciprocate within an axial slot of the first member. The bottom of the article can have a rubber tip affixed thereto.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 COMBINATION CANE AND PORTABLE SEAT ARTICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to combination cane and portable seat articles. Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to provide new and useful articles of such character.

Such an article is highly useful for application as a walking stick, in walking out of doors, and for use, alternatively, as a seat, either for the purposes of rest or for observing a sporting event or other activity. Such an article is convenient, inexpensive, effective, generally efficient, and generally possesses great strength while occupying but little space either when in use or when in transit.

Many persons who through age, sex,condition of health, or other causs cannot well stand for any length of time can conveniently use such an article. It is useful at the race course, athletic games, exhibitions, or any other place where people go in crowds, as well as on the street, while waiting for a car, or whenever for any cause a person is called upon to stop on the street. Such an article is also applicable in the country where the ground is not level, where it is hilly, or on a level surface. Many other occasions will readily suggest themselves where a seat can be readily and conveniently carried.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a novel combination walking stick and portable seat which is suitable for use on level and non-level surfaces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel combination walking stick and portable seat which can be used on surfaces of various types, such as hard cement or soft soil and the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel combination cane and portable seat article in which slippage is significantly reduced, whether in use as a cane or as a seat.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel combination cane and portable seat article in which the article, when in use as a portable seat, can be pivotable about various degrees of motion, either left, right, forward, backward, or combinations thereof.

This invention is directed to a combination cane and portable seat article having an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion of the article is selectively alterable to form an apertured handle of a cane or to form an opened seat. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an improvement in the lower portion includes a first, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member having one end thereof affixed to the upper portion of the article. The member has an axial cut-away portion formed from an intermediate point thereof to an end opposite to the one end, thus forming a hollow recess therewithin. A second, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member is adapted to fit within the hollow recess of the first member. Means are provided for pivotally supporting an intermediate point of the second member at the opposite end of the first member. The second member is selectively retained within the hollow recess of the first member so that the first and second members are rigidly coaxial or so as to permit the second member to be free to pivot about its intermediate point with respect to the opposite end of the first member.

In accordance with certain features of the invention, the selective retention can be provided by an inner latch piece within the first member which is selectively engageable with one end of the second member. An outer manually operable button is located outside of the first member and means are provided for connecting the button to the latch piece, the connecting means being adapted to reciprocate within an axial slot of the first member. In accordance with other features of the invention, a rubber tip can be affixed to an opposite end of the second member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other, objects, advantages, and features of this invention will become more apparent from a reading of the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an article in accordance with this invention, partly in section, showing the article in use as a cane, and showing the spring 23 also depicted as 23a in dotted line format when the article is in use as a portable seat;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an upper portion of the article depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a lower portion of the article depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly broken away,of the article depicted in FIG. 1 depicted in the portable seat configuration, the lower portion of the seat being shown in solid line format on an inclined base and further illustrating, in dotted line format, the lower portion on a level surface.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a combination cane and portable seat article, wherein the base of the cane includes a rubber tip 11. The top of the cane includes a handle 12 which has an aperture or a hole 13 therein of a size large enough so that an arm can fit therethrough. The length of the cane in such position can be, in a preferred embodiment, 31 /2 inches.

The combination cane and portable seat article is of use to anyone, young or old, male or female, healthy or infirm. Though its construction is simple, the article can be changed to either mode desired within a matter of seconds.

Referring to FIG. 4, the base of the combination cane and portable seat article can be transformed into a portable platform for the seat. The bottom leg 14, depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, is hollowed at the upper end 16 and is pivotable at its mid point 17 so that its upper end 16 may fit within a hollow recess of an upper leg 18. The upper leg 18 is generally cylindrically shaped, and has an axial cut-away portion formed from an intermediate point thereof to an end opposite the end engaging with the handle portion of the cane, thus forming the hollow recess therewithin. The upper portion of the bottom leg or member 14 is normally held within the hollow recess of the upper leg 18 by a slide 19 which manually is engageable from without the upper leg 18, but which engages with the hollowed end 16 of the lower leg 14.

The slide 19, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, includes an inner latch piece within the first member or upper leg 18 which is selectively engageable with one end 16 of the second member or lower leg 14. The slide further includes an outer manually operable button on the outside of the first member or upper leg 18, and means connect the outer button to the inner latch piece, such connecting means being adapted to reciprocate within an axial slot of the first member 18, such axial slot being shown in better detail in FIG. 1.

When pivoted, as depicted in FIG. 4, the lower leg 14 acts as a base upon which the seat and upper leg 18 can pivot about the point 17. A person can also rock to and fro perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4 since the lower leg 14' is cylindrically shaped.

Normally, as depicted in FIG. 1, a spring 23 is pivotable about an upper block 24 affixed to the upper leg 18. The spring 23 is normally engaged within a slight recess 26, within the upper block 24, thereby holding both halves 21, 22 of the seat to insure that they remain closed. The spring 23 canbe pivoted downward as depicted in dotted line format at 23a of FIG. 1. The two halves 21, 22 are then pivoted into the position shown in FIG. 4, remaining in that aligned position in view of the shapes of the flanges and abutment, the spring 23a being shown in a downward position in FIG. 4.

The user can use the seat in usual fashion by placing his buttocks so that each buttock is supported by a corresponding seat half 21, 22.

The handle 12, including the seat halves 21, 22, in a preferred embodiment, is of circular or oval shaped cross-section of hollowed out construction to reduce the weight of material of construction. The edges or corners, preferably, are rounded by sanding or chamfering to eliminate possible injury from sharp edges.

The handle 12 can be drilled and pinned to the column mandril or post which can be provided with lugs on either side to prevent further downward movement of the seat halves from the horizontal position depicted in FIG. 4. The handle/seat halves can be designed to accept and support various size individuals including those of large obesity.

The handles 21, 22 and the center post all include the portion of a seat. The spring retainer 23 is so formed so that no sharp edges or ends are exposed to the user. To release the spring 23 from the solid line position shown in FIG. 1 to the dotted line position 23a requires aminimal amount of time and effort.

By releasing the spring 23, the handle halves 21, 22 can be swung down into the horizontal position 21a, 22a, depicted in FIG. 4, without any complication.

ln construction, the main column can ,be attached to the main or mandril shank portion by close machining tolerances and by several prick punch marks where a groove or indent is desired. In various types of commercial devices, it may be desirable to change the height of the cane by suitable adjustment.

The main column can be of tubular shape and can be constructed of any suitable material, such as iron, aluminum, wood, or a combination of plastics.

The slide catch retainer, including the three portions: the outside button, the inner latch piece, and the connecting means, is suitably constructed. The outer button can be serrated, if desired, so as to be conveniently operated by a gloved hand. The button and the latch piece can be coupled together by suitable connecting means, such as an assembly screw, or they can be coupled together by rivoting means or other suitable connectors.

The lower leg 14 is fitted into the upper leg 18 and can suitably be drilled and suitably pinned to permit it to swing from the horizontal to the vertical plane or to any other plane. When in use, either as a seat or as a cane, the ground surface need not be perfectly level. The ground surface can be of any type of surface, including hilly, bumpy, soft, hard, and the like.

The length of the lower member 14 serves a variety of purposes including weight displacement over a large area. The lower member 14 has, on its lower end, a rubber tip 11 which serves as a shock absorber and also as a deterrent to slippage in either mode of operation.

Thus, the overall invention as described hereinabove is suitable for people who enjoy the out-of-doors for any type of sporting endeavor or outside function, thus providing for a safe, clean, and comfortable seating arrangement for pleasurable viewing of any desired activity.

. arious modifications may be performed of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the various members need not be totally hollow, but can have portions therewithin that are solid. It is desired, however, that the two members described be hollow, primarily for the purpose of reduction in weight and reduction in cost of materials. Other modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a combination cane and portable seat article having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of said article is selectively alterable to form an apertured handle of a cane or to form an opened seat, the improvement in said lower portion comprising a. a first, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member having one end thereof affixed to said upper portion, said member having an axial cut-away portion formed from an intermediate point of said member to an end opposite to said one end thus forming a hollow recess therewithin;

b. a second, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member adapted to fit within said hollow recess of said first member;

c. means for pivotally supporting an intermediate point of said second member at said opposite end of said first member; and

d. means for selectively retaining said second member within said hollow recess of said first member so that said first and second members are rigidly co-axial, or for permitting said second member to be free to pivot about said intermediate point with respect to said opposite end of said first member.

2. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein said selectively retaining means comprises a. an inner latch piece, within said first member, and -selectively engageable with one end of said second member;

b. an outer manually operable button, without said first member; and

c. means for connecting said button to said latch piece, said connecting means being adapted to reciprocate within an axial slot in said first member.

3. The article as recited in claim 2, further comprising a rubber tip affixed to the opposite end of said second member. 

1. In a combination cane and portable seat article having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of said article is selectively alterable to form an apertured handle of a cane or to form an opened seat, the improvement in said lower portion comprising a. a first, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member having one end thereof affixed to said upper portion, said member having an axial cut-away portion formed from an intermediate point of said member to an end opposite to said one end thus forming a hollow recess therewithin; b. a second, hollow, generally cylindrically shaped member adapted to fit within said hollow recess of said first member; c. means for pivotally supporting an intermediate point of said second member at said opposite end of said first member; and d. means for selectively retaining said second member within said hollow recess of said first member so that said first and second members are rigidly co-axial, or for permitting said second member to be free to pivot about said intermediate point with respect to said opposite end of said first member.
 2. The article as recited in claim 1 wherein said selectively retaining means comprises a. an inner latch piece, within said first member, and selectively engageable with one end of said second member; b. an outer manually operable button, without said first member; and c. means for connecting said button to said latch piece, said connecting means being adapted to reciprocate within an axial slot in said first member.
 3. The article as recited in claim 2, further comprising a rubber tip affixed to the opposite end of said second member. 